Kengore, the depth of water needed to avoid freezing solid very much depends on where you are. Around here (Nashville), 4 inch deep water won't freeze solid in most years. In the last 40 years I can remember 2 or 3 when a grown man could safely stand on the ice. Most years there is no freeze-up at all, except for a thin crust.

There is a small creek that run along the yard next door. It dries up completely but fish always reappear. There is an underground stream into which they can escape.

Ed